Quiz / Skill Check (with explanation)
Q1. What does the “Close & Apply” button do in Power Query?
Type: Multiple Choice
- Deletes all queries permanently
- Loads the transformed data into the Power BI data model and closes the Query Editor
- Saves the .pbix file to OneDrive
- Publishes the report to the Power BI Service
Correct Answer: Loads the transformed data into the Power BI data model and closes the Query Editor
Why: Close & Apply runs every Applied Step in each query and loads the resulting cleaned tables into the in-memory data model used by Report and Model view. It does not save, publish, or delete anything.
Q2. Setting a column’s data type to “Date” instead of “Text” allows Power BI to correctly sort, filter, and use that column in time-based calculations.
Type: True/False
Correct Answer: True
Why: A text value like “2023-08-09” sorts alphabetically and can’t be used in date/time functions. Converting it to the Date type lets Power BI treat it as a real calendar date, enabling correct sorting, slicers, and time intelligence later.
Q3. Name one Power Query transformation you could use to remove accidental leading or trailing spaces from a text column.
Type: Short Answer
Correct Answer: Trim (Transform tab > Format > Trim, or right-click the column > Transform > Trim).
Why: Trim strips extra whitespace from the start and end of text values, preventing “duplicate” categories that differ only by stray spaces, such as “Therapy” versus “Therapy “.
Q4. In the Power Query Editor, where can you see and reorder every transformation you’ve applied to a query?
Type: Multiple Choice
- The Data pane
- The Applied Steps list
- The Fields pane
- The Format pane
Correct Answer: The Applied Steps list
Why: Applied Steps, shown on the right of Power Query Editor, records each transformation in order. You can click a step to preview data at that point, drag to reorder steps, or delete a step to undo it.